Jiujitsu: Double Dutch Jiujitsu Gold for Sophie

Littleborough’s two-time Judo Olympian and double World BJJ Champion Sophie Cox made a winning return to elite competition over the weekend. Sophie was in commanding form at the BJJ Amsterdam Open International, winning double gold in her weight and open bracket: purple belt Masters 1 Lightweight.

Sophie Cox said: “My competitive opportunities have been very limited this year, because of my many coaching, teaching and family commitments.

“I hadn’t fought since winning the European Judo Masters U-57k title in Glasgow in June. You are always wary after a long layoff and both the physical and mental pressure is intense at these elite competitions. Putting your reputation on the line is always a challenge.

“It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, the first fight of any competition is always nervy. After winning my opening contest with an aggressive arm bar, I tackled the next three relaxed and confident, claiming two golds and not conceding a score against. And I had the satisfaction of helping my club BJJ Factory Stockport to an excellent 2nd place in the overall medals table. A great result for all involved and club coach Adam Adnan.”

Results in both individual and open categories went to form, unusually for an open weight bracket:

1. Sophie Cox  (BJJ Factory Stockport)
2. Lisa Tang (Ares BJJ)
3. Adinda Jansen (Belgium Exit Team)
4. Michelle Sparacio (Carlson Gracie Team)

Sophie went on: “Continuing competitive successes reinforces my credibility as a coach, mentor and sporting educator. I believe that competition, at whatever level, is the research department of any sport. 

“You have to be open to new and different experiences, always learning, adopting a variety of coaching and completion styles. I learnt this philosophy from the legendary Brian Moore at Bacup Judo club, who took me to my first competition abroad in Holland at the age of nine. 

“Now I am returning the favour by being one of an enthusiastic and talented coaching team at his and my lifelong club, 60 years old this year.

“It’s been an exciting and successful year taking England Judo teams to Holland, Lithuania, Slovenia and Germany.  

I also participated in delivering a four-day coaching module to senior judo officials in Portugal. Teamed up with former Olympian and senior BJA coach Joyce Heron, I learned something myself from her innovative coaching using animal movement patterns and judo gymnastics.

“Then Joyce and I put coaching into practice in a women and girls only coaching session at Pinewood Judo Club in October.

“I’ve led BJJ coaching and performance camps in Iceland, Denmark and Sweden, and nearer home, judo camps in Rochdale and Kendal with Heywood’s star judoka Danny Carr.

“Perhaps my most satisfying and innovative venture was holding my second, hugely successful, Female Only Fighters Camp over the August Bank Holiday at Kendal Judo Club. 

“60 women and girls from all over the UK plus some from Europe attended. With female coaches too, it proved that females respond positively to an encouraging female driven environment.

“Yet another new experience for me has been helping to deliver the Government’s Mental Health, Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyles initiative in primary and secondary schools. I would love to see a full time PE teacher in all primary schools as sport and exercise have such an important part to play in tackling obesity and mental health problems.”

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/118235/-25-years-since-sophie-cox-changed-view-of-rugby-league-forever